[MV & Album Review] WINNER -- 'Fate Number For'

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WINNER – FATE NUMBER FOR

Track List:

1. REALLY REALLY2. FOOL

After Tae Hyun's departure, WINNER continues as a foursome for their new release 'Fate Number For.' The single contains two tracks, both of them title tracks. The boys team up with J-Bird and AIRPLAY and crank out two songs: "FOOL," written and composed by Seung Yoon, and lyrics duties were handled by Seung Yoon, Mino, and Seung Hoon on "REALLY REALLY" (Seung Yoon and Mino also composed this one).

The song with the repetitive title "REALLY REALLY" turns out to be kind of nice chill track. It's not an energetic club banger, despite the faux-tropical house beat. It's a low-key dance track, and the boys' voices mesh with it nicely. I love the pulsing synths and how the chorus builds, but blends in with the rest of the song. I guess you can say I 'Really Really' like this tune.

"FOOL" is a soft pop song that could be played almost entirely on a piano. The nice thing is that they remembered their pop sensibilities and wisely included a synth. I think that raises the bar somewhat and elevates it above the standard ballad. SeungYoon's vocals here are pretty poignant, pointing out that he "was a fool" in a fairly deep register. Jin Woo's role here is to provide some smooth softness to the piece, which he does seemingly effortlessly. It's a sweet ballad, and the boys manage to skillfully convey a sense of regret.

These tunes are distinctly different from previous ones such as Mino's "Body" and WINNER's "Immature." This shows how they've grown as songwriters, as the tracks on this EP sound more mature and filled out. Frankly, I'm excited by the direction these four boys are taking, and can't wait to see what they come up with next.

MV REVIEW -- "REALLY REALLY"

While it may appear plotless, there is a slight thread connecting the events in this video together. Initially, the boys are alone, before leaving the bleachers to end up on a city street. Women dance around them as they dance and sing. The boys ignore them. Not to be rebuffed, the girls attempt to keep them away from their getaway car, but the boys are not to be denied. Soon, they're off, playing with bouncing hydraulic lift-kitted cars, which takes me back to 90's gangsta rap (Dr. Dre "Let Me Ride"), while the girls dance again and cheer.

Well, okay, maybe not.

One of the things that WINNER has always seemed to excel at is dancing, and this video demonstrates that. In some cases, they seem to be going for a hip hop vibe as they move, which is good when done well. And believe me: it is.

The wardrobe was pretty well done. I didn't see any awkward looking styles, and WINNER looked super-stylish in their suits in the beginning. And at least they were in street clothes during the car scenes. I'd hate to see suits like that get grease stains.

Frankly, this video was fun to watch. The director (Dave Meyers) has an eye for imagery that I like, and he knows how to make each and every shot dynamic. Is it deep? Not really. But it's engaging, and that's the important part. Of course, it helps that I like the song, too.

MV REVIEW -- "FOOL"

In contrast to "REALLY REALLY," the MV for "FOOL" is baroque and stylized. There are some beautiful shots in here, from spending time with a lover to some gorgeous sunny day backgrounds, to the slight glimpse of city lights at night. The bulk of the video explores the loneliness you feel after a breakup. But it does this extremely well.

I like the slow-mo effect and the soft light filters, the helmet that was thrown down in anger, flames licking at it as it rolls and bounces. The religious imagery along with some ornate cathedral interiors really make this MV pop. The flaming contraptions, like some homage to Burning Man, also are great to look at.

There's no dancing in here, only the boys treading the fine line between love and loss, with symbolism I can only begin to guess at. But when you watch an MV, you're not really supposed to turn your brain on. It's enough to say that this particular MV is absolutely intense, even if the song is a tad slow for my tastes.

Nothing wrong to compare. Saying that something isn't as "strong" is completely anyone's opinion and they are entitled to it. And of course, you might not agree, and you are entitled to think that as well. Also, this comeback was only 2 songs. Wouldn't it be theoretically correct to say that this comeback wasn't as "strong" as they're other albums that have more tracks? Now if someone were to just say "omg they're trash I hate them" that would just be useless hate comments. But when people criticize an artist, and say what they did right and wrong, these artists can learn.

ok but if everyone is still hung up on taehyun, then winner will never have the opportunity to grow out of the controversy. i guess i should rephrase my statement. i don't think people should automatically assume that this comeback is less "quality" than their previous solely bc taehyun was not in this comeback. and i am not only referencing this comment section. most of all of the people who are commenting regarding their "disappointment" are those who cannot get past taehyun leaving the group.

Yeah that's a better way to phrase it. Still though, for every fan that leaves winner for taehyun's leave, they gain 3 more. This comeback didn't really negatively affect them in too big of a way. And, like i said, if you don't like winner because of taehyun not being with them, it is a valid reason. I loved his lyrics and voice and would understand if he was all people liked in winner. I get it. Not that that's how I feel, but still.

I'm sorry but you make it seem as if i was personally attacking you. i get that you liked taehyun & you are upset that he has left & you feel some kind of emptiness now that winner does not include taehyun. thats fine. what I have a problem with are those who will never get over the fact that taehyun has left the group. i think it is better for those people to keep quiet than continually broadcast how winner is not going to ever bypass their past comebacks ONLY BC taehyun is not in the group anymore. i respect your opinion on how this comeback may be "weaker" than their previous comebacks. and i do realize that you have never mentioned that winner will never get past the void taehyun has left them. but i have seen many other comments (not only on allkpop but on naver) where people were literally saying that winner was "good before, but they will never be good again." and for those comments, i am genuinely curious to how they could make that statement and have it be valid. bc winner will have more comebacks & who are they to assume that those comebacks will be trash? i hope you understand my stance & im sorry that my first comment did not accurately represent my perspective :)

I don't feel like you are attacking me, and I 100% understand your position. But all i'm saying is that they are entitled to their opinions given a valid reason. What you said just now where people said they'll never be good again, that makes no sense, like I mentioned before. I feel as if we are agreeing, and just arguing for no reason. lol

I really don't like the house tropical sound. I don't like it here in the US. It sucks that kpop is starting to use it. When I heard Nam Tae Hyun had left, I was hoping they're showcase the powerful vocals Kangseung's capable of. Instead, we got laid back tunes with a melody that could easily be mistaken for an American song played in NBA games coming back from commercials. To date, the only songs I liked from Winner are their pre-debut songs. Smile Again and Just ANother Boy.

Honestly, not really. Just feels too soft. Like music I'd expect them to make after they went to the military and came back. I know I'm judging too harshly, but that's because I had high hopes for them. I too cried when I saw Team A won over Team B. I thought to myself, "this group is gonna be the best."

Hmm, well, I am confident Winner will continue to make upbeat tracks with this new album. So maybe give them a chance with this album before you decide that they aren't for you. I just feel with their previous tracks, they are trying to adhere to a certain musical style (thanks YG!) haha.

Although I really did like these songs, I am honestly gonna say they were slight disappointments. Now, This is coming from a Winner fan, who listens to 2014 s/s almost daily and who would pick baby baby as his all time favorite song. I love winner, and it was sad to see really really as a title track. I wouldn't mind it as an addittional track on the album, but it just wasn't the sound I was looking for in Winner. while Exit is a 9/10 and 2014 is a 9.5/10, I will agree with allkpop on this one and give fn4 an 8.5/10. This might just be me being sad about taehyun tho. Idrk

Thank you for your opinion. I love all Winner songs so I totally get where you are coming from with your opinion. I do feel like this was a good direction for Winner to go. They are on really vulnerable ground at the moment, losing an important member, coming off of a year and two month hiatus... they needed a rebranding of sorts. You might not love the tropical house genre but it is popular now. People generally like it on some basis. This will bring more fans into the fold. With more fans, Winner will be free to explore more genres. We know what they are capable of...we still need people to give them a listen from time to time.

Yeah going in a house direction was definitely a safe way to go, with the situation they are in. They're fanbase is growing thanks to it so I am glad to see that. I just don't want them to completely lose their old style, and Fool was what reassured me of that. These people disliked my comment as if i was hating, but I really do like these songs. I just have a slightly different opinion on them is all.

Fool alone deserves a 10, it's a masterpiece. But the author states that WINNER is known for their good dancing, and although I agree that they displayed their decent dance talents during WIN, we haven't really gotten to see their skillful dance moves after their debut. WINNER themselves stated that this comeback was different because they got a relatively harder choreography for Really Really compared to their other songs. So, I kinda suspect that the author doesn't know WINNER that well.. But that could just be me.. At the end of the day I am just so glad they're back and they are doing well on the charts. I am so proud of them. <3

I would raise the score to 9.5. The album is very good. I love the aesthetics and the songs are not only deeply written and well produced, but also they sound very modern and lovely. I worried how they would do with 4 members, but they did amazing and they look good. I hope they stay strong and gain a lot of awards. :)